Hit the Gym to Improve Sports Performance

If you're an athlete and want to improve your sports performance, you should train at the gym. In this article we'll tell you more about this.
Hit the Gym to Improve Sports Performance

Last update: 29 May, 2019

The gym is a great tool to improve your sports performance, regardless of the sport you practice. Among other things, gym training reduces the risk of getting injuries and gives you an upper hand in competitions. In this article, we’ll tell you how to hit the gym in order to improve sports performance.

When training, athletes must consider the intensity and weight of each session. This will allow them to make sure that their training is aligned with their sports objectives.

Most soccer players, for example, don’t need to work the weight they lift, since speed is important for them. In any case, the weight you lift is important to prepare the body, but large weights are not essential in training.

Hit the gym to be a better athlete

Hitting the gym can bring many benefits to athletes’ health in any discipline. Whether they choose to do weight training with machines, free weights, or body weight. They can also get great benefits from training with cardio machines.

Keep in mind that the type of cardio exercise that you choose, depends on the sports that you practice. However, although there are a few exercises that don’t bring any benefits, almost all are good.

In fact, it doesn’t matter if you play basketball, tennis, football, soccer, run or swim, the gym is good for you. If you hit the gym, it may make you feel better and more resistant to your opponents. Therefore, you’ll become a better athlete.

Hit the gym to improve sports performance

Strength training helps improve sports performance but remember that it’s only one component. Each sport has a specific demand for strength, resistance, and speed.

Hit the gym and learn the benefits of a treadmill training.

As a matter of fact, strength training can imitate some movements that we perform in certain sports. For example, if you’re a basketball player and need to gain more air time in your jumps, you can work on that if you hit the gym.

Every sport has its specific movements and exercises. Strength training can help you gain certain abilities in a sport. This is so because it works on activating the muscles with the specific movements that your sport requires.

Therefore, we recommend that athletes hit the gym once they and their trainers understand the right exercises. Then, they can plan the right strategy to include them in the training program.

Are weights good to improve sports performance?

Without a doubt, weight training can improve sports performance, if you do it correctly. Weight training can offer certain improvements if you’re an athlete, no matter what discipline you practice.

And so, just the fact of gaining more muscle will allow you to have more resistance to injuries. Additionally, this can also help you improve strength speed, and gain more control and knowledge of your body.

However, weight training for athletes must be different than weight training for others who don’t practice sports. Some people hit the gym to stay in shape and not to train for a specific sport. And so, this is a whole different story at the gym.

Main premises to consider

In order to improve your sports performance and become a better athlete, we propose the following advice. And so, this must be clear to you if this is your objective.

  • The training is specific for the sport you practice.
  • You must have a different exercise program if you’re in competition than if you’re not.
  • A key objective is to avoid injuries.
Woman training at the gym to avoid injuries

Body weight training exercises and the use of free weights, bars, or medicine balls strengthen your body. These employ a large variety of movements and positions that are beneficial to you. Thus, you’ll be a better athlete because you hit the gym and imitate the stress your body goes through in your discipline.

Finally, it’s important to remember that if you’re an athlete and want to improve performance, you must hit the gym. Training in coherence with your particular discipline is key.

However, before beginning your sessions at the gym, make sure you warm-up to reduce the risks of injuries. Additionally, always listen to your trainers’ advice in order to maximize your training.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Martins, J., Honório, S., Costa, A. M., Batista, M., & Cardoso, J. (2014). Journal of Human Sport and ExerciseJournal of Human Sport and Exercise(Vol. 9, pp. 645–655). University of Alicante. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse
  • Pastor Navarro, F. J. (2007). El entrenamiento de la fuerza en niños y jóvenes. Aplicación al rendimiento deportivo. Journal of Human Sport an Exercise2(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.4100/jhse.2007.21.01

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.